Up until now, GM has only used over-the-air updates for its OnStar in-car security, navigation and emergency response service.

Barra said GM is "in the process of deploying a new electrical architecture ... as well as a whole new generation of infotainment systems". Both of these systems can be updated via new software delivered via a wireless network.

Vijay Iyer, head of communications for GM's connected vehicle services, confirmed the Chevrolet Bolt has an infotainment system capable of accepting over-the-air updates, but this capability had yet to be enabled.

Although smartphones, tablets and other connected devices have long been capable of over-the-air software updates, car makers have been slower to adopt the technology.

In line with its Silicon Valley mentality, startup electric car maker Tesla has embraced over-the-air updates for its vehicles. Earlier this year Ford used over-the-air updates to add Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility to some cars fitted with its Sync 3 infotainment system.

It's not known, at this stage, which GM vehicles and platforms will be the first to use the new over-the-air update-capable electrical and infotainment architectures.